Christmas in San Francisco: 11+ Things to Do with Kids to Celebrate the Holiday Season

My favorite time of year in the San Francisco Bay Area is almost here! The weeks leading up to Christmas in San Francisco are always filled with kid-friendly special events and activities, so it is no surprise that many travelers choose to make their way to my hometown for the holidays.

Whether you are a lucky local like me or just planning a visit to San Francisco’s mild climate to escape the cold back home, here are my top picks for families spending time during December and the holidays in San Francisco, updated with new dates and activities for the 2017 season.

Christmas in San Francisco: Things to Do to Celebrate the Holidays

1. Union Square Festivities

Union Square dazzles at night during December.

Union Square is the center of many of San Francisco’s best holiday decorations and events. While most of the decorations are already up long before Thanksgiving, the season really gets underway with the Union Square Tree Lighting on November 24, 2017 at 5:30 p.m.

While you are in Union Square, take your little ones to see Santa at Macy’s and and window shop (or just shop) ’til you drop. Always a hit with everyone in the family is the SPCA’s Holiday Window at Macy’s where adoptable pets frolic in adorable holiday scenes.

Meeting the big man at Macy’s Santaland in San Francisco’s Union Square.

2. Ice Skating

There are several places to ice skate in San Francisco to get in the holiday spirit. Union Square always has a large rink, open from November 1, 2017 to January 15, 2018 this year. Prices are $18 for adults and $13 for kids ages 8 and under for a 90 minute session and skate rental is included.

Photo Credit: San Francisco Travel Association

Another easily accessible popup ice rink is located near the Ferry Building on Justin Herman Plaza by Embarcadero 4 in the Financial District. It is a bit larger and a bit cheaper than the Union Square rink with an equally awesome San Francisco location. It’s open this year from November 2, 2017 to January 7, 2018. General Admission is $12, children 8 & under are $7, and skate rental is $5.

3. Fairmont Gingerbread House

The second story of the Fairmont’s holiday gingerbread house.

San Francisco hotels really get in the holiday mood as well, and one of the most magnificent hotel holiday displays is at the Fairmont Hotel atop Nob Hill. The hotel constructs an enormous two story gingerbread house every year on display in the lobby. It’s so big that adults can walk through it. Kids will especially enjoy the working miniature trains that encircle the creation. The grand opening this year for the Fairmont’s gingerbread house is on November 25, 2017.

4. Westin St. Francis Sugar Castle & Enchanted Castle

One of two sugar castles at the Westin St. Francis San Francisco.

Not to be outdone, another of San Francisco’s iconic hotels also goes all out for the holidays. The pastry chef at Westin St. Francis located right on Union Square builds two castle of sweets each year. The hotel also has a special pop up sweet shop where you can purchase holiday treats to take home. The sweet shop is open on weekends from 11 am to 4:30 pm during the holiday season.

5. A Christmas Carol at American Conservatory Theater

The American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) is a well-respected and well-established professional theater company in the Bay Area. ACT has a longstanding tradition of presenting a theatrical production of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol every year. The show this year runs from December 1-24. Tickets range from $20-$150, so you can take your family for a very reasonable cost in some of the cheaper seats.

6. Aladdin, The Musical at SHN

Looking for even more family-friendly theater this holiday season? The shows put on by SHN in San Francisco are always top-notch and in the Broadway style. This year, SHN’s big show during December is Disney’s Aladdin, running November 1, 2017 – January 4, 2018. While the show is listed as appropriate for all ages, be aware that your little one has to be at least 5 years old to attend.

7. Beach Blanket Babylon

San Francisco’s Ferry Building is always aglow with holiday lights.

The irreverent musical revue Beach Blanket Babylon has been a San Francisco tradition for over 40 years. The show celebrates and makes fun of popular culture from a distinctly San Francisco point of view. The show is ever-changing, but it changes even more during the holiday season.

The big question is: can and should you take your kids? Due to the fact that alcohol is served, children aren’t allowed at most showings, but children ages 5 and up are welcome at both Sunday matinee showings and the early shows on Wednesday evenings (see the full calendar here). The show definitely pushes a few boundaries but most of the jokes would go over the heads of younger kids. Plus, the matinee versions are toned down a little bit. In short, relax, laugh, and take the kids!

8. Zoo Lights at the San Francisco Zoo

The renowned San Francisco Zoo gets all decked out in holiday lights during the month of December. Meet Santa, ride the train, and enjoy other holiday activities with your kids. The event takes places on December 15-17, 19-23, and 26-30, 2017. Pricing for 2017 has not been released yet but Zoo Lights has historically been one of the better holiday deals in town.

Twinkling lights along the Embarcadero during the holidays in San Francisco.

9. San Francisco Ballet Nutcracker

A performance of the Nutcracker has been a San Francisco ballet tradition since 1944. This year, performances run from December 13-30 (excluding Christmas). The show allows children ages 3 and over to attend. For a special treat, try to attend one of the “family performances” where the first 500 children ages 4-12 receive a special gift. At these shows, intermission beverages and treats are complimentary and at one hour prior to curtain, Nutcracker characters are available for photos.

10. High Tea for the Holidays

San Francisco may be known for its free-spirited and alternative reputation, but some very historic traditions are alive and well in the City by the Bay — namely afternoon tea. Several of the fanciest San Francisco hotels host tea year round, but the holiday teas are a tradition for many San Francisco families year after year.

My family had the chance to experience holiday tea at the Westin St. Francis last December and it was simply a treat. I was very worried bringing a three year old into such a fancy setting but the event is truly geared to families.

11. Pier 39 & Fisherman’s Wharf Holiday Events

Pier 39 and Fisherman’s Wharf also have a few major events during the holiday season. The major celebration is at the Pier 39 Tree Lighting, which is being conducted in conjunction with Disneyland in 2017 on November 19. The event starts at noon with character meet and greets, crafts, and music, leading up the tree lighting at 6 pm.

BONUS: Other Holiday Events Beyond San Francisco City Limits

Even though I enjoy a chance to make a trip into the “big city” for a special holiday outing, the entire Bay Area has so many special events and activities to celebrate. Some may be closer to where you live – no traffic or parking challenges necessary! Here are a few of our family’s favorites elsewhere in the Bay Area, from Oakland to the South Bay and everywhere in between.

Our summers can be quite chilly and foggy – the tourists always freeze! 😉 If you want the nicest weather, come in September, as that is the clearest and warmest month. But the offerings in December are awesome too.

I’ve never thought of San Francisco as a Christmas destination but it sounds like there is lots to do to put you in the Holiday spirit! I would especially love to see A Christmas Story The Musical since it is my favorite Christmas movie!

Hi. I am considering taking my boys to A Christmas Carol this year, at ACT. My youngest will be barely 5. Do you think this will hold a five year olds attention? He is kind of a wiggley boy:) I have never seen it in theater. Thank in advance… I just don’t want to rush our life… but I really want to go:)

Fun suggestions! We visited San Francisco once around the holidays and enjoyed hanging out in Union Square one night, admiring the lights and drinking hot chocolate. I love having tea and will definitely check out the holiday tea at the Westin St. Francis.

About

Welcome! I’m Leslie, a mom of two (ages 8 and 3) who loves to travel. Trips With Tykes is a family travel blog devoted to simplifying the logistics of traveling with young kids. With a little knowledge of airline rules & good planning, family travel can be really fun, even if it still involves the occasional in-flight tantrum or battle with TSA over your toddler’s juice box.